The University of Florida moved forward with Stuart Bell as its sole finalist for president, setting up a final confirmation process by the UF Board of Trustees and the Florida Board of Governors. The selection follows a politically charged search that began after the Florida Board of Governors rejected Ben Sasse successor Santa Ono in 2025. Interim president Donald Landry’s contract is also in the spotlight. UF disclosed that Landry is entitled to a roughly $2 million severance payout under a provision tied to whether he was selected for the permanent role, along with additional bonus and compensation terms, with questions raised about transparency and whether public funds are being used. The decision matters for governance, compensation, and institutional direction in a state system where leadership choices are closely intertwined with political scrutiny over DEI and campus priorities.